Darien Mythology

Anu, God of AramonThe ancient Sumero-Babylonian god of the firmament, the 'great above,' and the son of the first pair of gods (Ansar and Kisar, descendant of Apsu and Tiamat). He is referred to as "the Father" and "king of the gods," which signifies his importance in the Mesopotamian pantheon. Not only is he the father of the gods, but also of a great number of demons, whom he sends to the humans. In the Sumerian cosmology there was, first of all, the primeval sea from which was born the cosmic mountain consisting of heaven, 'An', and earth, 'Ki.' They were separated by Enlil, then Anu carried off the heavens and Enlil the earth. Anu later retreated more and more into the background. He retires to the upper heavens and leaves the affairs of the universe to Marduk and a younger generations of God. His consort was Antu, a goddess of creation, but she was later replaced by Ishtar. Also known as an Irish/Celtic fertility goddess, venerated as a mother of the gods. The center of her cult was the fertile Munster in southeast Ireland; the two rounded hilltops near Killarny are called 'the two breasts of Anu.'

Belial, God of TarosBelial is the evil spirit of darkness and godlessness in the Jewish myth of old Palestine. In the Old Testament there is metnioning of Belial-men: they are those who are opposed to law and order. Belial can also be compared with Satan. Belial is a term occurring in the Hebrew Bible which later became personified as a demon in Jewish and Christian texts; in Hebrew it is an adjective meaning "worthless," and the idiom "sons of Belial" indicates idolaters, brigands, vagrants, and general shitty people.

Lihr, God of VerunaManannan mac Lir is the Irish god of the sea and fertility, who forecasts the weather. He is older than other similarly related deities. His is the son of Lir and his name means "Manannan Son of the Sea." He is the guardian of the Blessed Isles, and ruler of Mag Mell ("plain of joy" - a paradise where the deceased life). He has a ship that follows his command without sails; his cloak makes him invisible; his helmet is made of flames, and his sword cannot be turned from its mark. He is described as riding over the sea in a chariot. Llyr is the Welsh sea god. (Lir is both the word for "sea" and the name of a sea god.) Possibly also a reference to the 'white goddess' who aided sailors in distress.

Tammuz, God of ZhonThe Akkadian vegetation-god and the symbol of death and rebirth in nature. Each year he dies in the hot summer and his soul is taken to the underworld. Woe and esolation fall upon the earth, and Tammuz's wife Ishtar leads the world in lamentations. She then descends to the netherworld and after many trials succeeds in bringing Tammuz back, as a result of which fertility and joy return to the earth. He is the counterpart of the Sumerian Damuzi, who is also god of the underworld. He was called 'the Shepherd' and 'lord of the sheepfolds.' (In Syria, he was identified with Adonis - who is a whole confusing mesh of shit.)

Garacaius, Saint of CreonThis guy has no foundation in our world. He is merely a Cavedog construct. Considering that most of the other gods have some tentative relation to the Middle East, and Garaciaus' own history as the Great Uniter of Darien, he could be a throwback to Gilgamesh or Cyrus the Great. Just a thought.

I've always been a fan of ancient religions and religious practices. Even when I was 14 and this game first came out, I recognized the names. I even wrote something very similar to this piece way back in the day, now lost to whichever extinct forum in which it was originally posted. It was before Iron Plague, though...